Nikita Krylov replaces Thiago Silva at UFC 171 in Dallas

It’s not everyday that a fighter loses an opponent because he’s in jail, but that’s what happened to Ovince St-Preux following Thiago Silva’s arrest on Thursday night.

Luckily, UFC matchmakers moved quick to find him a replacement with Ukrainian fighter Nikita Krylov agreeing to step in to the bout while also making his move from the heavyweight division down to 205 pounds.

UFC officials confirmed the new bout on Friday night.

Krylov (16-3) made an inauspicious debut in his first UFC fight, falling to massive Australian fighter Soa Paleilei but his second bout ended in much better fashion for the newcomer. Krylov dusted off Walt Harris in just 25 seconds at FOX UFC Saturday in Chicago in January with a nasty head kick in the first round.

Now the Ukrainian born fighter will move down to light heavyweight after giving up a lot of size in his former division as he faces Strikeforce transfer Ovince St-Preux at UFC 171 in Dallas.

The bout between Krylov and St-Preux will still occupy a slot on the preliminary card for the show headlined by the welterweight title fight pitting Johny Hendricks against Robbie Lawler in the main event.